Windows is the most used Operating System on computers and widely known for its easy user interface. We use computers for many purposes related to work or even for entertainment. In every case, we need to store files and software that are useful and required for our day to day usage. But what if you lose your Windows or even files by some reason like ransomware, broken Softwares, and more. In all these cases, you might be able to restore some of your files using paid Software or even visiting repair stores. But it’s better to keep backup of all files to save your money and data. Here you will know how to take a full backup of Windows 10 computer, including the Windows activation key.
As compared to phones its a not an easy task to create a full backup of Windows PCs. As it takes more storage whereas, In Android, we can easily take backup on the cloud without even taking subscriptions for more data. But in Windows OS, the Windows drive (C:) itself is larger in size, which requires a large backup drive. So we are going to share a method that will help you to create a full backup of Windows 10. There are many ways to take Windows 10 backup, but we will be sharing an easy and secure method that doesn’t require the installation of any software. I will keep the guide simple and straight to the point for better understanding.
Why Do You Need to Take Windows 10 Backup?
Backups are useful for all devices, even if it is not a Windows computer. It keeps all our data safe, which can easily restore if we lost the data. Windows 10 backup also includes the Activation key, and it means if your windows is genuine, then the backup will also contain the key which you can restore later if you are reinstalling Windows for any reason.
Windows 10 backup can also restore all your software & latest drivers that included in the backup. It will help users to reinstall all the paid software that requires access key or activation key like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and others.
The settings or any changes that you made on your Windows 10 will also include in the Windows 10 backup that you can create using the method given in this guide. Overall you get the same Windows setup if your Windows got corrupt or affected by any Ransomware attack. Not only this, but there are many advantages of creating a Windows 10 backup. Now that you are unaware of the need for Windows 10 Backup let now jump into the method.
How to Create a Full Windows 10 Backup
You can create a full backup of your computer, but you need a storage device or cloud storage with size, depending on your computer storage. Most of the time, we only need to recover Windows Drive (which is C: drive by default), but we can’t take any chance to lose data, so its recommended to make a full backup, including other drives.
I will split the guide into two different methods to take a full backup on Windows 10. The first method will be focused on the files that don’t require installation, and then in the second method, we will guide you to take a recovery image of Windows 10, which can be restored easily. We will make another guide for restoring the Windows 10 Backup. Make sure to check for the restore method on our website.
Step 1: Take a Backup of Important Files on Windows
Before taking backup of Windows 10, first, make sure to safely backup files that are important to you.
- You need external storage like an external Hard Disk or a Cloud Storage with sufficient data.
- Delete all the data that you are not going to use or not required. It will reduce the data that you need to take backup on Windows 10.
- Connect your external hard disk to your computer or sign in to Cloud Storage.
- Now copy files like Movies, Documents, Music, Games setup, Software setup, and other files from all drives to the external drive. Upload to cloud storage if you have access.
- After copying all the files to the external drive, you can disconnect the drive.
Now you have the backup of Files from Windows 10 that you can copy back to your computer.
Note: If you have a backup of files on your Cloud Storage, then you need internet data to download backup files on your computer.
After taking backup of all important files from Windows 10, lets now check how to create a Windows 10 System Image backup or Windows 10 Recovery backup that we can restore by installing it. This recovery or system backup of Windows 10 contains Softwares, Windows Activation key, Settings, Registry editors, personalizations, and other things that you set up on the existing Windows 10. Let just take the easy tour to understand the Windows 10 Backup process.
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Step 2: How to Create a Windows 10 Backup (System Image Backup)
Windows 10 System image backup or the recovery backup is more effective and easy to restore if its size is small. So taking backup of Windows OS, Settings, Installed Softwares, customizations can be easily taken under 16GB or 32GB. It will help us to restore Windows 10 backup with a USB flash drive. Let’s hit the steps to make a Windows 10 System Image backup.
- Insert a USB flash drive or hard disk where you want to save Windows 10 system image backup. You can also create a backup on one of your computer drives if you don’t have an external drive.
- Search for the Control Panel and open it on your Windows 10 PC.
- Make sure in View By the Large Icons option is selected.
- Now you will see many options select ‘Backup & Restore (Windows 7)’.
- On the Backup settings, click on ‘Create a System image.’ You can also select Create a system repair disc if you have a CD/DVD.
- Now select the drive under On a hard disk where you want to save Backup. If you’re going to store on the cloud, then select ‘On a network location’.
- After selecting the output drive where Windows 10 backup will be stored, click on Next.
- On the next screen, the drive where Windows is installed will be selected automatically, that you can’t uncheck. But you can also select other drives of which you want a backup. So choose the drives or leave it to default if you only want to backup drive with Windows and click Next.
- Then it will ask for confirmation, so click on Start Backup to proceed with Windows 10 backup process.
- Wait for the backup process, which can take time, depending on the size of the backup.
- After the complete process, it will ask to create a system repair disc, so click on No.
- That’s it now the Windows 10 System Image Backup will be store in the output drive with name WindowsImageBackup.
If you haven’t used any external storage to take Windows 10 system image backup, then you can transfer the backup file to your hard disk or any external drive whenever you want.
Here is the more info about System Image Backup:
A system image is a copy of the drives required for Windows to run. It can also include additional drives (other than Windows Drive like D, E, F). A system image can be used to restore your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working.
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We will also share the guide to restore the Windows 10 backup if you want to recover your data. So with this, we will close this guide, and for more guides like this, explore our website and stay connected.
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